Hurricane Katrina Asbestos Exposure

The threat of asbestos exposure was practically everywhere when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005, and became a serious concern for those who did not evacuate and those assisting in the cleanup. The violent storm tore buildings in two, exposing many asbestos-containing materials to air and water.

Free Mesothelioma Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or other serious health condition as a result of being exposed to asbestos, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.

What’s the problem?

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD), nearly triple the damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Located on low ground along the Mississippi River, the city of New Orleans was built on land that lies below sea level, making it naturally prone to flooding. Katrina’s massive storm surge inundated the federal flood protection infrastructure and led to the breach of 53 different levees, proving human engineering is no match for the forces of nature. As the levees gave way, the cataclysm moved in and flooded 80 percent of New Orleans, leaving the remarkably historic city immersed in water. Naturally, the storm caused toxic materials, chemicals, sewage and other garbage to contaminate the flood waters, which remained stagnant for weeks. Many became immediately concerned with the potential danger wading in the water, and with much attention being placed on water contamination, concerns of toxins in the air fell to the wayside. As a result, countless residents, volunteers, and workers assisting with cleanup efforts operated (and still operate) under a serious risk of inhaling various toxins, such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos.

Five years later, the city is still coping with hurricane-related debris and many irreparable homes remain standing. Struggling to rebuild infrastructure, a sense of normalcy has yet to be restored for the residents of New Orleans. As cleanup efforts continue, so does the risk for human exposure to asbestos. Money and time constraints are still compromising safety when it comes to asbestos abatement, and this will most likely continue until more rigorous regulations are enforced.

Do I have a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

The Toxic Tort Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in asbestos-related mesothelioma lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.